Somer Anderson, MACC, assistant dean for the John E. Simon School of Business and assistant professor of accounting, has been named a regional recipient of the 2020 ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) recognizes individuals each year who exemplify teaching excellence in the classroom.
“This year, the ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award candidates were evaluated using the theme ‘teaching in a student-centered world,’ Anderson said. “This theme aligns perfectly with the technology-driven, active learning environment that I strive to create in my classes where learning is cooperative, collaborative and community-oriented; and where students are encouraged to harness their own unique experiences to deeply enrich the learning process.”
“I am delighted to receive this award for my use of the innovative strategies in my classes that support a student-centered education. Thank you, ACBSP, for this award, and for recognizing the important role that student-centered teaching plays in preparing our students for their careers in an ever-changing business world,” she said.
Anderson was honored, along with other regional recipients, at the ACBSP Virtual Conference 2020, June 22-24. Two International Teaching Excellence Award recipients were announced at the virtual conference, one from a baccalaureate/graduate degree-granting institution and one from an associate degree-granting institution. As a regional recipient, Anderson was a candidate for the international award.
“Anderson is a strong teacher, advisor, researcher and contributor to the Maryville expectations of building an Active Learning Ecosystem and using technology in a meaningful way to facilitate learning,” said Tammy Gocial, PhD, interim dean for the John E. Simon School of Business. “She is committed to student learning and professional development, for students and herself. She has also become quite adept at proposing, developing and delivering new courses and programs.”
The ACBSP Associate Degree Commission established the International Teaching Excellence Award in 1995 to recognize outstanding classroom teachers. In 2002, the Baccalaureate Degree Commission created a similar award to recognize excellence in teaching at the baccalaureate/graduate degree level. ACBSP is the only specialized body for business schools that presents an award recognizing excellence in teaching, open to application by the entire membership.
“It is more important than ever for business programs to produce graduates who are ready to enter the global marketplace,” said Jeffrey Alderman, ACBSP president and CEO. “ACBSP has a mission to develop, promote and recognize best practices that contribute to the continuous improvement of business education. Recognition of teaching excellence is one way we achieve this goal,” he said.